Steve Bruce delighted to see late gambles pay off as Blackpool snatch point

Steve Bruce was relieved and surprised to see Albie Morgan pop up deep into stoppage time to head home an equaliser in Blackpool’s 1-1 draw at Burton.

Rumarn Burrell’s 19th-minute goal looked set to earn the struggling Brewers all three points, but Bruce’s side kept going until the very end and were rewarded when Morgan turned in Sami Silvera’s left-wing cross.

“To be fair we keep bashing away at it,” Bruce said.

“We weren’t great by any means in the first half. We were too slow with our passing and with our build-up getting the ball forwards. Second half we were much better and finally got the reward that we deserved.

“We had a lot of chances and couldn’t take one and I am starting to think that it’s not going to be our day when that happens.”

Bruce made a triple change with 20 minutes to go and had players in unfamiliar positions, but it all paid off with Morgan’s equaliser.

“In the end we are scrambling and gambling, putting as many people on the pitch who can score a goal,” the Tangerines boss added.

“I had Albie playing at right-back. How on earth he has popped up at left-back, I don’t know, but (there was) licence to get forward and the only players at the end in their natural positions were the centre-backs and the keeper.

“To be fair it’s a great ball in from Sami and a great header from Albie after we create the overload on that side.”

Burton head coach Gary Bowyer admitted dropping points so late on was tough to take, but he was full of praise for his side’s efforts.

“The game lasts 93 or 94 minutes so you have to go to the end,” said Bowyer, whose side are four points from safety.

“I think the lads gave an unbelievable amount of effort. The game plan was to frustrate and try and catch them on the counter, which we did ever so well with the first goal.”

Burrell had another chance in the second half to double Burton’s lead but was unable to take it.

“Fair play, they have chucked everything at us, but the big moment is second half with Ru through one-on-one and if he scores it is game over,” Bowyer added.

“As much as the lads are hurting tonight – and it is a great sign that they are, in the sense of the short time they have all been together – they have drawn against Barnsley and Blackpool in the last two games and are really disappointed.

“That is progress and I will allow them to feel sorry for themselves tonight, but not on Monday.”